Thank you all for the advice. I knew a 22 was way too small and figured that the 30 30 wasnt big enough either. I will look into what you sugested. I am also planing on joining the shooting club up the road a ways. That way I can get in more practice and get to know some of the locals, Im pretty new to this area.
As far as where to go I have that part made. All I have to do is head out my back door and into the woods. The few locals I have talked to say they stick around if you can just find them. When hunting season was over I had over 200 head of elk in my back pasture! It was wonderful, you could see them from the kitchen window and hear them snorting from inside the house. The dog wasnt too happy but at least he was smart enough to stay away from them

Starr